Recording and reproducing talking motion pictures



Oct. 6, 1931. E. s. HAYFORD 1,825,955

RECORDING AND REPRODUCING TALKING MOTION PICTURES Filed Nov. 14, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 6, 1931. I E, s HAYFORD 1,825,955

RECORDING AND REPRODUCING TALKING MOTION PICTURES Filed Nov. 14, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented o... 6, 1931 UNITED STATES EUGENE S. HAYIORD, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA RECORDING AND REPRODUCING TALKING MOTION PICTURES Application fi1edNovember 14, 1928. Serial No. 319,420.

This invention relates to talking motion picture apparatus and the improvements are directed to a novel form of structure for controlling sound devices when used in synchro- B nism with motion picture machines.

Primarily the object of the invention resides in the provision of means of the abovementioned character, wherein the sound producing means may be rendered operative or inoperative at any pre-determined position with respect to the film being projected, thereby permitting the use of a record having a limited tone groove length in connection with a greater length of film.

Another object is to provide means whereby the tone groove of any type of sound producing machine may be calibrated and any particular sound portion on the groove may be located andcut out, or added to, as

desired in the production of the film in the studio.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of means, in the form of a diagrammatic chart, adapted for placement over a metallic cylinder when the picture is being filmed, said chart serving as a diagram of the sound and pictures accomplished at each stage of the operation.

As will presently appear my invention is uniquely adapted to operate as a monitoring or volume-controlling means when reproducing the sound in synchronism with the picture film since the stylus and metallic outer cylinder of the structure are electrically connected to certain magnetic means for operating a volume control rheostat, said electrical connection completing the circuit with the electro-magnet thereby causing the armature thereof to operate a suitable volume control means.

My invention further contemplates the provision of means whereby the amplifying means for loud speakers or the like may be rendered operative and'inoperative without the usual attending metallic sound or scratch, and also for the production of sounds and effects extraneous to the synchronized sound producing means,

With these general objects in view, together with others which will appear as the stylus point.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a cylinder having the chart associated therewith.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the same.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of a pair of cylinders arranged in tandem for permitting the control of two or more electric circuits.

Referring now in detail to the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of reference denote similar parts throughout the several views, let 10 denote generally my novel and improved chart, which may be constructed of paper, celluloid, or similar material, and in the example shown in Fig. 2 it will be observed that the same is provided with a plurality of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines, 11 and 12, respectively, dividing the chart into 128 spaces, each being equal to travel of the film and adapted to represent the relative position of the stylus point with the picture image on the film, correspondingly numbered, while the vertical lines represent the turns of the cylinder or travel path of the electrical stylus point. Thus the diagram is numbered to represent the number of turns of the cylinder and also each section representing the position of the picture on the film is numbered so that by multiplying the number of turns indicated by the stylus mark by the number of sections on each turn, and adding the number on the fractional turn indicated by the position of the stylus, the exact picture can be located and by referring to the indicator on the sound device the corresponding position of the tone groove can be located and co-related with the film. Upon further reference to Fig. 2 it will be noted that certain portions are cutaway, as indicated by the area 13 between the dot and dash lines. These cutaway portions are provided so that the stylus point 14 may make an electrical contact with the metallic cylinder 15, embracing cylinder 16 when said chart is wrapped about the latter, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

As shown in Fig. 3, said cylinder 16 is provided with a shaft 17 connected in timed relation to the picture film and the usual sound device, gears 18 and 19 being provided to drive the feed-screw 20 to operate the stylus arm 21, carrying stylus 14, a predetermined distance at each revolution of said cylinder, thus causing said stylus to describe a spiral as the said cylinder is rotated. As the cylinder is driven in fixed relation to the film a certain fraction of an inch of travel will'represent the length of a single picture onthe film. From the foregoing it is apparent that in making up the picture and sound program the stylus traces a spiral line throughout the diagram, indicating stops and starting points, how many pictures are taken at each operation and the number of inches of units of tone groove produced.

As will presently appear said sleeve 15 is electrically connected to an electro-magnet and the stylus 14 is similarly connected, through said arm 21, and when the traveling stylus reaches a cutaway portion on said chart a contact is made between the sleeve and the stylus-causing the armature of said magnets to function for opening and closing certain switches for operating certain scoring or rheostat monitoring means for increasing or diminishing the volume of sound or to stop and start the sound producing means at predetermined positions in relation to the pic.- tures on the film, or for operating certain mechanical effects, such as hell ringing, explosions, storm sounds, or the like.

In Fig. 5 are shown a pair of cylinders 21 and 22, provided with arms 23 and 24,'each carrying a stylus 25 and extending from a common stem 26, mounted on a stylus carrier 27 A feed-screw 28 is adapted to move the arms in the manner just described, certain clamping means 29 being provided for-releasing the feed-screw nut for returning the arms to starting position. In view of this arrangement it is possible to control a plurality of electric circuits enabling the operation of a series of functions at the same time.

In the diagram shown in Fig. 1, the phonograph is represented as having a turntable 30, carrying the record 31, the former being mounted on a vertical shaft 32 adapted to receive rotation from shaft 33 through the intermediary of the bevel gearing 34. A typical form of magnetic clutch 35 is operatively mounted on said shaft 33 and is adapted to stopand start the rotation of the table 30 when the circuit 36 is opened or closed by the establishment of an electrical contact be- The secondary winding 49 is coupled to said amplifier by means of circuits 50 and 51, while the primary 52 is joined to the loud speaker unit 53 by means of circuits 54 and 55.

Said loud speaker unit 53, and the circuits just described, are also controlled by the chart .mounted 011 said cylinder 16 and to this end the circuit 56 extends from said sleeve 15 to the magnetic means 57 while the circuit 58 is connected to the stylus arm 21. Accordingly, the cutaway portions of the chart establish an electric contact between the two circuits and in view of the source of potential 59 said magnet 57 is energized to operate the switch 60. thus opening and closing the loud speaker circuits.

The volume control means for monitoring sounds, hereinbefore referred to, is designated by the numeral 61, and is of the standard type, and is circuited to and controlled by the chart, by means of wires 62 and 63, the former extending to the stylus arm 21 and the latter to the sleeve 15. Wires 64 and 65 join the amplifying circuit thereto. Again it will be recalled that the cutaway portions of the chart are depended upon to operate as pointed out. It will. of course, be understood that a connection to the stylus arm is the same as a connectitn to the stylus itself.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the chart. as scored and completed in accordance with the production, may cooperate with the stylus and associated parts to bring about the several objects of the invention.

Further, my invention makes it possible to arrange the film and tone groove in any desired manner after the various sections of a complete production have been finished.

The director has an exact chart of the tone I groove or sound producing means as well as the picture arrangement on the film 1n synchromzation and the same can be rearranged to suit the purpose of the producer. It is also adapted to use the device for fitting sound to films already produced for silent production, by numbering the pictures and constructing a chart for sound scoring the film. The invention is further adapted for i I claim: 1. Apparatus for synchronizing a. sound record with a picture record comprising a cylinder of conducting material mounted for simultaneous movement with the picture record, a sleeve of non-conducting material carried upon said cylinder and having an opening, a stylus mounted for movement along said cylinder and normally engaging said sleeve and adapted to enter the opening therein and an electrically operated actuating .device connected in circuit with said stylus and said cylinder for operating said sound (record.

" 2. Apparatus for synchronizing a sound record with a picture record comprising a cylinder of conducting material mounted for simultaneous movement with the picture record, a sleeve of non-conducting material carried upon said cylinder and having an opening, a stylus mounted for movement along said cylinder and normally engaging said sleeve and adapted to enter the openlng therein, an amplifylng circuit, a loud speaker in said circuit, a switch for operating said speaker and magnetic means in circuitwlth said stylus and said cylinder "for throwing said switch.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

EUGENE S. HAYFORD. 

